Hydro poles along Highway 52 west of Steinbach are being inspected this week as part of an ongoing program by Manitoba Hydro.

Spokesperson Bruce Owen says they have had an integrated pole maintenance program since about 1989. Hydro hires Provincial Pole Specialist Incorporated to inspect poles and locate ones in the system that are compromised.

According to Owen, there are approximately one million hydro poles in Manitoba. Each year about 65,000 poles are inspected, which means the ones being looked at this year are about 15 years old.

(Hydro pole being inspected along Highway 52.)Owen says crews are looking for any indication of damage caused by factors such as premature rot, ants or woodpeckers. Owen says there are also instances where a pole may have been partially burned but not reported or where a vehicle struck a pole but didn't knock it over.

Through this program, the inspector will dig down a foot and check the base. Owen says similar to how you might tap a wall with a hammer to check for studs, these inspectors use a hammer to knock the hydro pole and determine whether it sounds hollow. In this way, they can determine whether there is anything internal that could make it unsafe for Hydro crews or the general public.

The poles will be fixed right away, if possible. If the damage is caused by a fungus, Owen says there is a wrap that can be applied which can control it and make the pole safe. There are also steel anchors which can protect the base of the pole.

"We have to be responsible for the equipment that we have throughout the province," says Owen. "If we can extend the life of a pole perhaps for another fifteen years that means we don't have to incur the expense of replacing it."

He notes each year thousands of poles are replaced in this province.

Crews right now are trying to inspect as many poles as possible before the frost hits the ground. The inspection program takes place during the warm months and then is suspended for winter.

Owen is putting out a word of caution to motorists while crews are working in the ditches or along roadways.